Paternity and Parenting in the Context of Eating Disorders: An Integrative Literature Review*

Abstract

Family relationships seem to have relevant contribution to the etiopathogenesis of Eating Disorders (EDs). This study aimed to analyze the scientific production about the paternity and parenting experiences of fathers whose daughters developed EDs. The literature review was conducted through the databases LILACS, PubMed, PsycINFO, Web of Science and EMBASE, in the period from 1999 to 2019. From the 878 retrieved papers, 23 were selected for the analysis. The results show that paternity and parenting experiences are influenced by father's personality traits. The dominant representation is of an affectionless and not empathetic father, as well as punitive and insensitive to the daughter's emotional needs. Knowing the paternal experiences is central to subside sensible care to both, daughters' and fathers' demands.